Roof leakage on Willow Street in New Haven

This is the AA-MSA, Inc., inspection blog (www.aa-msa.com). AA-MSA inspectors write about the actual conditions that they experience during property inspections and environmental testing.

This call was about a 2nd floor bathroom ceiling that began to leak water during a recent rain storm. The area above this 2nd floor bathroom is the intersection where two roofs meet. Areas where roofs intersect with other roofs, with walls and roof penetrations are common areas where leaks often begin. A two-person team was sent to conduct a water test. The ceiling area inside the bathroom where water had caused damage, was opened to expose the framing. With moisture meter in hand the inspector located the area where the meter glowed red registering 100% moisture! Next one of the inspectors went onto the roof carrying a water hose and proceeding to "rain" initially on the lowest level of roofing and then upwards. As soon as the outside inspector applied water to the area where the two roof surfaces intersected, the inside inspector alerted him to water intrusion. Together these two inspectors determined the cause of the leak to be deterioration of the roof sheathing beneath the roof covering that resulted in accelerated wear of the roof covering itself, hence leakage. This was one of the easier leaks to trouble-shoot. Often times leaks occur in areas that are far from the water damage that first alerts the occupants to the trouble.

If you have a water leak that needs repair, call the leakage experts at AA-MSA, Inc., before you call the repairman. AA-MSA's licensed inspectors are experts are defect recognition and diagnosis. 24 hour service is available throughout Connecticut. 1-800-888-8107 ext 301 or 303 if an emergency or after business hours.